Added March 20th 2006 -

Barking & East Ham United 1 - 0 Rothwell Town

Despite this disappointing defeat away to play-off rivals Barking & East Ham, Rothwell Town remain in ninth place thanks to other results going their way. The Bones, without suspended striker Justin Jenkins, rarely looked dangerous in this game played on a hard uneven surface and facing into the teeth of a very strong wind. In fact they rarely tested home custodian Tony Tucker at all.

This was in stark contrast to Tom Smith who had to be on top form all afternoon and made several fine saves from Anton Dwyer, Warren Houghton and Bradley Woodards. Rothwell's defence did well with Paul Rice, Andy Brown and skipper Stuart Spencer under lots of pressure. And they managed to keep their hosts at bay at the break.

The visitors' first attempt at goal did not come until the 46th minute when a free-kick by Steve Towers out on the right was headed over the bar by Spencer. in reply the hosts went close on 50 minutes when a Dwyer near-post header went only inches wide. The decisive goal came just three minutes later. Dwyer received a pass from Woodards in what looked to be a suspiciously offside position. But the flag stayed down and he turned and shot from 30 yards, sneaking the ball past a diving Smith and into the bottom corner.

Rothwell did push on but did not force their first corner until just past the hour. And they did force a succession of corners around the 85th minute. But they could get no joy out of the home defence and the game petered to a close. To be fair, Rothwell had three or four players whose performances were well below par and they had a less than efficient strike force.

Just this week they were unsuccessful in their bid to bring in Kettering Town's Michael McKenzie on a month's loan - the player instead being allowed to go to fellow play-off challengers Arlesey.

The Bones face another play-off rival, Harlow Town, next Saturday - and with the league table as tight as it is they will have to do better if they are to stay in touch with the play-off spots.

Barking & East Ham: Tucker, Woodards, Taylor, Willis, Doyle, Wood, Bruce, Higgs, Houghton (sub Henry 63), Dwyer (sub Lenahan 90), O'Sullivan. Subs (not used): Murat, Clayton, Braham.

Rothwell Town: Smith, Brown (sub Capps 85), Spencer, Rice, Flannigan, Boyle-Chong, Tolton, Towers, Maddox, Almond (sub Ritchie-Smith 60), Brooks (sub Wright 60).

Goals: Dwyer (53 mins)

Booking: Maddox (dissent)

Att: 76

Referee: Mr G Smith